Vegan Thai Coconut Soup Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (2024)

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Thai coconut soup is one of my favorite soups to order out at Thai restaurants. Today I’m going to show you how to make it at home.

Vegan Thai Coconut Soup Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (1)

Birmingham folks: this recipe was inspired by (and tastes just like!) the coconut soup at Surin, a popular Thai food spot.

I chose tofu as my protein, because that is how I always order it at Surin. You can use this same soup base with a different protein, if you prefer.

If you want more recipes, check out my vegan soup recipes and all soup recipes.

Ingredients

For tastiest results, always use the best quality ingredients you have access to. To make this Thai coconut soup recipe you will need the following:

  • coconut oil
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • lemongrass (I used squeezable)
  • Thai red curry paste
  • vegetable stock
  • low sodium Tamari or soy sauce
  • maple syrup (or sweetener or choice)
  • unsweetened coconut milk
  • extra firm tofu
  • mushrooms
  • lime juice
  • cilantro
  • green onions

Ingredient notes

  • I love using the lemongrass in those squeezable tubes out of convenience. If you prefer fresh lemongrass, feel free to use that instead.
  • I did use fresh ginger and fresh garlic since I already had some on hand.
  • I keep Tamari in my house, but feel free to use soy sauce in its place.
  • You can use any type of mushrooms you prefer. I have made this with white, baby portabella and sh*take mushrooms, and all were good.

How to make Thai coconut soup

First, prepare the tofu.

Preparing the tofu – tips

I always recommend pressing your tofu first. I got this tofu press on Amazon, and it makes it super easy!

Vegan Thai Coconut Soup Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (2)

Alternatively, you can set the tofu on a plate with a clean kitchen towel underneath, and sit something heavy-ish on top, such as a cast iron skillet on top to press out the water.

You want to press it for at least 15 to 30 minutes.

You can dice your tofu in any shape you want. I prefer small, bite-sized cubes.

Vegan Thai Coconut Soup Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (3)

You can see more specific step-by-step instructions for how I dice my tofu in this post – air fryer tofu.

Tofu is already cooked, so when adding it to this Thai coconut soup, it only need to be added at the end – long enough to heat through.👌🏻

Vegan Thai Coconut Soup Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (4)

Cooking Thai coconut soup

Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the lemongrass, ginger, and garlic and cook about a minute, stirring constantly, being careful not to burn.

Add the curry paste and keep stirring for 30 seconds. Add the vegetable stock, Tamari/ soy sauce, and maple syrup and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce the heat to low, partially cover, and simmer to blend flavors, about 15 minutes.

Stir in the coconut milk, tofu, and mushrooms. Bring back to a boil and cook 1 minute.

Turn off heat, stir in lime juice and taste for seasoning and add salt if desired. (Note: mine was plenty salty enough)

Serve immediately, garnishing each bowl with cilantro and scallions.

Thai coconut soup batch size

This recipe makes eight large, or ten smaller servings.

Vegan Thai Coconut Soup Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (5)

If you are cooking for only one or two people, I recommend cutting the recipe in half. You can do this in the recipe card below, by using the slider to cut the servings to 5, instead of 10.

I like to have leftovers, and this Thai coconut soup does reheat well. Please note that the coconut milk will cause some separation when refrigerated. It will re combine once heated.👌🏻

Storage

Store leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. This soup os great reheated, and I enjoy having leftovers reheated for lunch for days.

Please note that the coconut milk fat will separate out during refrigeration. It will rise to the top. No worries, this will re incorporate with heating and stirring.

Thai Coconut Soup Recipe

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Vegan Thai Coconut Soup Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (6)

5 from 4 votes

Print

Thai Coconut Soup (Vegan)

Thai coconut soup is one of my favorite soups to order out at Thai restaurants, and it happens to be vegan. With tofu + mushrooms

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine Thai

Keyword coconut tofu soup, Thai coconut soup, vegan Thai coconut soup

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 10

Calories 240 kcal

Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh ginger grated
  • 2 1/2 Tablespoons lemongrass (I used squeezable)
  • 2.5 teaspoons Thai red curry paste
  • 6 cups vegetable stock (omnivores feel free to sub chicken stock)
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium Tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon 100% maple syrup (or sweetener or choice)
  • 28 ounces unsweetened coconut milk (two 14-ounce cans)
  • 16 ounces extra firm tofu (1 block, pressed, drained and diced)
  • 8 ounces fresh mushrooms (sliced, I used white mushrooms)
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves chopped or torn
  • 2 green onions sliced thin

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

  2. Add the lemon grass, ginger, and garlic and cook about a minute, stirring constantly, being careful not to burn.

  3. Add the curry paste and keep stirring for 30 seconds.

  4. Add the vegetable stock, tamari/ soy sauce, and maple syrup and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

  5. Reduce the heat to low, partially cover, and simmer to blend flavors, about 15 minutes.

  6. Stir in the coconut milk, tofu, and mushrooms. Bring back to a boil and cook 1 minute.

  7. Turn off heat, stir in lime juice and taste for seasoning and add salt if desired. (Note: mine was plenty salty enough)

  8. Serve immediately, garnishing each bowl with cilantro and scallions.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.

Nutrition Facts

Thai Coconut Soup (Vegan)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 240 Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Fat 21g32%

Saturated Fat 18g113%

Sodium 908mg39%

Potassium 397mg11%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 550IU11%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 37mg4%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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  1. Creamy Mushroom Wild Rice Soup
  2. Vegetable Barley Soup
  3. White Bean Soup (easy, vegan)
  4. Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
Vegan Thai Coconut Soup Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (2024)

FAQs

Is coconut soup good for you? ›

It uses coconut milk as a base for the soup, which I love because it's one of those nutrient-packed foods that has a ton of health benefits like lowering blood pressure, building muscle, boosting fat loss, and reducing inflammation.

How many calories are in Thai coconut soup? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
368Calories
33gFat
9gCarbs
13gProtein
Jan 9, 2024

How long does coconut soup last in the fridge without? ›

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you can't find fresh, frozen, or dried galangal, lemongrass, and/or makrut lime leaves, you can season the soup to taste with a teaspoon or two of store-bought Thai red curry paste.

Is coconut soup good for diabetics? ›

Coconut can be a beneficial addition to the diet of diabetic patients when consumed in moderation. While coconut is high in saturated fat, it also contains fibre and has a low glycemic index, which means it doesn't cause a significant spike in blood sugar levels.

Can too much coconut be bad for you? ›

Potential downsides. While coconut meat has multiple benefits, it may also have downsides. It contains a significant amount of saturated fat, which is highly controversial. A study in over 115,000 healthy adults found that high saturated fat intake was associated with an increased risk of heart disease ( 29 ).

What happens to your body when you eat coconut? ›

Coconuts are especially high in manganese, which is essential for bone health and the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and cholesterol ( 8 ). They're also rich in copper and iron, which help form red blood cells, as well as selenium, an important antioxidant that protects your cells ( 9 , 10 , 11 ).

Are Thai soups healthy? ›

Galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and lemongrass are among the primary ingredients used in Thai soups. Simmering them in broth allows them to release their phytochemicals and nutrients. Their oils have not only a pleasant aroma and taste, but also harbor many health benefits to the digestive system.

How much sugar is in Thai coconut soup? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 7g15%
14 more rows

What is the most popular Thai soup? ›

Tom Yum soup is the most popular Thai soup. In Thai, “tom” translates into “boiled” and “yum” refers to the traditional sour, salty and spicy flavor found in lots of Thai dishes.

What do you eat with Thai soup? ›

It's a filling soup, so just serve it with a slice of fresh crusty bread for a satisfying and complete meal. Bean sprouts add a delicious crispy and fresh topping to Asian-inspired soups.

Can you freeze coconut soup? ›

Cream- and milk-based soups have a tendency to separate, and can become grainy. Vigorously whisking (or blending again) the soup post-thawing can help the liquid re-emulsify. Soups made with coconut milk freeze and thaw rather well!

What does Tom Kha mean? ›

The dish Tom Kha comes from 2 Thai words which mean “boiling galangal” and galangal as the ingredient that gives the distinct flavour of this dish. The ingredients used in this soup are very similar to that of Tom Yum; however, what makes this dish different is the addition of coconut milk in the soup.

Does coconut spike blood sugar? ›

Coconut can be a healthy choice for people with diabetes, as it has a low glycemic index (GI) of 51. Coconut is also a good source of fibre, which can help in controlling blood sugar levels. . People with diabetes must aim for at least 25 grams of fibre daily.

Why is Tom Kha so good? ›

Tom Kha is a traditional chicken and coconut soup from Thailand. The recipe calls for many delicious spices that give the soup its characteristic mix of hot, tart, and umami flavors. Tom Kha soup is perfect if you have blood sugar problems or want to lose weight. It is low in carbohydrates and yet very satisfying.

Is Banana good for diabetes? ›

Bananas have a low GI score, and this the fruit to be an appropriate choice for diabetics. Dietitian Upasana Sharma, Head Nutritionist at Max Hospital says, "Banana contains sugar and carbs. But it is rich in fibre and has a low glycemic index. Diabetics can eat banana, but in moderation."

Is coconut soup good for your stomach? ›

Coconut, a low-carb fruit, is also full of dietary fibres that can help in promoting healthy digestion.

What is the healthiest soup? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho. This pho is tasty and easy to make. ...
  • Green spring minestrone. We're almost into spring which makes this the perfect dish for lunch or dinner. ...
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup. ...
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
Apr 26, 2020

How many calories in a bowl of coconut soup? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
223Calories
18gFat
12gCarbs
7gProtein

Is coconut milk in soup healthy? ›

Coconut milk may benefit health in several ways, such as by stimulating weight loss and lowering cholesterol. It can also add flavor to sweet and savory dishes and serve as an alternative to dairy milk. Coconut water is the liquid inside a coconut, while coconut milk comes from the fruit's white flesh.

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